Council set to consider several itemsThe Russellville City Council will discuss items ranging from an ordinance to amend the zoning code regarding planned unit developments (PUDs) to a new economic development/grant writer position during its October meeting at 6 p.m. today. The Finance Committee will meet first at 5. Committee appointments include Polly Hardin to the Historic District Commission and Cindy Hlass to the Cemetery Commission. There is also an ordinance in new busine...

Candidate Q&A: Mark ThoneEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Yell County Judge. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I am seeking my fourth term as County Judge. My goals for Yell County have not changed since my first term in office, which is to make Yell County a better and safer place for the citizens to live and raise their families. We have moved forward in reaching that goal in many ways....

Candidate Q&A: Paul StortsEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Yell County Judge. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? County Judge is the CEO of county government. I will bring integrity and common sense actions to our county government. What will you bring to the position that your opponent will not? A positive plan in all areas of county government that moves past the good ole boy system and b...

Clinton, Trump set for last debate as ugly race nears finishWASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump's ugly and acrimonious battle for the White House is barreling toward the end, with the candidates taking the debate stage Wednesday night for one final primetime showdown. For Trump, the debate is perhaps his last opportunity to turn around a race that appears to be slipping away from him. His predatory comments about women and a flood of sexual assault accusations have deepened his unpopular...

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JULIE PACE, The Associated Press White House CorrespondentAssociated Press

Candidate Q&A: Pat McAlisterEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Dover Alderman Ward 1 Position 2. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I've been on the Dover City Council for many years. I've thought about not running this term but I want to see our city finish the work we have done for a Sewer Treatment Plant. We are close, so I'd like one more term. If elected, what will be your top three priori...

Candidate Q&A: Russell WarhurstEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Dover Alderman Ward 1 Position 2. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? As a life long resident of Dover, I want a chance to give back to my community in the form of service. I would love an opportunity to have input about the progress of Dover. If elected, what will be your top three priorities? My priorities would be researching and ...

Candidate Q&A: Brian AndersonEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Dover Alderman Ward 2 Pos 2. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I want to be a Member of the Dover City Council assist in the right decisions being made to continue to help our town grow and improve. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the citizens as well as the other members of the council. If elected, what will be your...

Candidate Q&A: Fred StandridgeEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Dover Alderman Ward 2 Pos 2. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I am seeking re-election because I am familiar with the duties of a city council member and I want to continue to be a voice for and an ear to hear the citizens of Dover on issues that concern them. If elected, what will be your top three priorities? First, to help keep...

A&P Commission approves '17 budgetThe Russellville Advertising & Promotion Commission approved its budget for 2017 during a recent meeting. Executive Director Christie Graham explained that the budget had expenses of $345,300 with anticipated revenue of $345,000. Two expenditures from the 2017 general fund approved during the meeting were $12,700 for a ticket booth and $6,500 for batting cages at Pleasant View Park. The commission also approved a recommendation to give the Rus...

Candidate Q&A: Robert StandridgeEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Dover Alderman Ward 2 Pos 2. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? We were having some issues in my neighborhood. Some residents and myself took our complaints to city hall and some council members.We were dismissed and told nothing would be done. A few residents met and we decided we needed someone on the council and I was selected. I...

The Latest: NC GOP office damaged by fire, Nazi graffitiWASHINGTON — The Latest on the 2016 presidential campaign (all times EDT): 4:17 p.m. A local Republican Party office in North Carolina has been damaged by fire and someone spray-painted an anti-GOP slogan referring to "Nazi Republicans" on a nearby wall, authorities said Sunday. A news release from the town of Hillsborough said someone threw a bottle filled with flammable liquid through the window of the Orange County Republican Party headquar...

Voters to determine term lengthsRussellville voters will determine if their aldermen will serve two-year or four-year staggered terms when they go to the polls during the Nov. 8 general election. Alderman Robert Wiley said he is a proponent for staggered four-year terms. City Council members currently serve two-year terms. The mayor serves four-year terms. "If you get a good council member, especially a new one, it takes about a year for them to get feet wet and to know what...

Council discusses vicious animalsShould Russellville provide its Animal Shelter for Pope County when calls dealing with vicious animals are made outside the city limits? That discussion dominated the City Council's agenda prep meeting Tuesday at City Hall. Pope County Justice of the Peace Caleb Moore, chair of the Quorum Court's Vicious Animal Committee, asked with Sheriff Shane Jones if the county could use the Animal Shelter to keep vicious animals and if city personnel cou...

Candidate Q&A: Drew BrentEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Russellville Alderman, Ward 3 Position 2. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? Quite simply, my heart is to serve the city. The reason is I love Russellville. I’ve been in this area since I was 10 and I see what can be. I see what I think Russellville should be. I believe that together we can create and build a better Russellville. It...

Candidate Q&A: Eric WestcottEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Russellville Alderman, Ward 3 Position 2. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? It is my driving passion to make a tangible difference for good in the lives of other people. It has been my privilege to be able to do that on a larger scale since my appointment to the Russellville City Council last November. I recognize the fact that eve...

Atkins set to seek bids on projectsATKINS -- The Atkins City Council came up with a priority list for the possibility of receiving grant funding during its October meeting Tuesday. Mayor Jerry Don Barrett said a woman recommended by Alderman Bro Price would write grant applications so the city could apply for T-21 grant funding. The priority list included the swimming pool, which Barrett said would cost about $100,000 if it was tiled and painted; sewer repairs; playground equip...

City plans to raise money for propertyThe Russellville City Council's Finance Committee voted during its meeting Tuesday to take donations to buy property at 917 W. Second St. that will be used to build a Habitat for Humanity (HH) home. Alderman Bill Eaton said he thought the property should be donated to the local organization for free, since there is the possibility that three other lots in the block could house three Habitat for Humanity homes in the future. Mayor Randy Horton ...

Candidate Q&A: Jennifer HaleyEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Pope County Tax Collector. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I have worked in the Pope County’s Tax Collector’s office since July of 2007. I love my job, the collector’s office, and serving the public. I have a heart for people and enjoy helping and working with the public. Pope County and the taxpayers have invested over nine year...

Dardanelle council awards trash bidDARDANELLE — The Dardanelle City Council met in a special council meeting and reviewed three bids received for annual trash service. Mayor Carolyn McGhee said the decision of awarding the trash bid was previously tabled from the Oct. 3 meeting. After review, the council awarded the bid which includes a two-year contract from January 2017-December 2018 to Lee’s Trash Service in Russellville. The winning bid outlined a monthly fee of $13.14 per ...

Candidate Q&A: Bill SparksEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Pope County Justice of the Peace, District 9. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I am truly honored to be a member of the Quorum Court. While we are elected by specific district all thirteen of us are charged with coming together to make important decisions that can ultimately impact taxpayers throughout Pope County. For me, being e...